It's a close encounter at the Recreation Ground as Whitehaven lead visitors Newcastle Thunder by just two points at half time.

Haven have a narrow 4-2 lead at the break in what has been a tense game throughout with no quarter given by either side.

It was Thunder who took the lead with a Jy-Mel Coleman penalty kick given for an obstruction but Haven soon struck back.

And it was Dave Thompson, on his return to the side, that lifted the home team with a try in the corner.

Unfortunately the extras could not be added this time by the boot of Jake Moore but it was enough to give Haven a narrow advantage and set the game up for an exciting second half.